This sweeping, absorbing, and essential 2-part documentary is one of the definitive films about WW2. Focusing on a small French down during the occupation, director Marcel Ophuls (son of Max) mixes archival footage with interviews from a wide variety of people-German soldiers, collaborators, resistance fighters, regular townspeople, English government officials. The result is a unique and transfixing film. Referenced by Woody Allen in "Annie Hall."
With a new memoir out, now's a good time to catch up on Murakami's fiction. This early novel has some of his trademark surreal incidents (a disappearing hotel, a Sheep man), but the oddness is held in check by a strong, nuanced emotional dimension and well-drawn characters. The somewhat hapless protagonist (divorced, adrift) meets hookers, hotel clerks, movie stars, famous photographers, surly teens, tough cops, and one-armed men as he tries to navigate through a series of confusing events (disappearances, murders, dreams). It's all done with great skill, restraint, and sympathy, making for a novel that is both moving and imaginative. Makes a good double feature with "A Wild Sheep Chase."
With bat-fever sweeping the nation (again), this is a perfect time to sit down and trace the origin and evolution of the iconic superhero. Beautifully designed by Chipp Kidd, this book is as lookable as it is readable. Les Daniels swiftly covers Batman's influences, development, many re-inventions, and enduring appeal in comics, movies, television, and pop culture. You'd be "batty" not to pick this up.
With "Gonzo" in theaters, this is a perfect time to revisit or discover Thompson. Along with "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," this is probably his best, most sustained, & influential work. A wild, messy, impressionistic account of the 1972 campaign, this is far from objective journalism, but it captures a certain noxious, bloody, bitter political atmosphere that is still with us. What's often forgotten is how insightful and lucid Thompson's writing could be, although readers looking for flashes of druggy madness & alcohol fueled rage won't be disappointed. Featuring illustrations by Ralph Steadman.
So are July's narrators supposed to be like mentally challenged or something? That's really the only explanation for these self-conscious, precious, & vacuous short stories. It seems to be working for her.
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lukas has commented on (86) products.
Sorrow and the Pity
lukas, August 25, 2008
This sweeping, absorbing, and essential 2-part documentary is one of the definitive films about WW2. Focusing on a small French down during the occupation, director Marcel Ophuls (son of Max) mixes archival footage with interviews from a wide variety of people-German soldiers, collaborators, resistance fighters, regular townspeople, English government officials. The result is a unique and transfixing film. Referenced by Woody Allen in "Annie Hall."Dance, Dance, Dance (UK Edition) by Haruki Murakami
lukas, August 25, 2008
With a new memoir out, now's a good time to catch up on Murakami's fiction. This early novel has some of his trademark surreal incidents (a disappearing hotel, a Sheep man), but the oddness is held in check by a strong, nuanced emotional dimension and well-drawn characters. The somewhat hapless protagonist (divorced, adrift) meets hookers, hotel clerks, movie stars, famous photographers, surly teens, tough cops, and one-armed men as he tries to navigate through a series of confusing events (disappearances, murders, dreams). It's all done with great skill, restraint, and sympathy, making for a novel that is both moving and imaginative. Makes a good double feature with "A Wild Sheep Chase."Batman: The Complete History
lukas, August 7, 2008
With bat-fever sweeping the nation (again), this is a perfect time to sit down and trace the origin and evolution of the iconic superhero. Beautifully designed by Chipp Kidd, this book is as lookable as it is readable. Les Daniels swiftly covers Batman's influences, development, many re-inventions, and enduring appeal in comics, movies, television, and pop culture. You'd be "batty" not to pick this up.Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72 by Hunter S. Thompson
lukas, July 11, 2008
With "Gonzo" in theaters, this is a perfect time to revisit or discover Thompson. Along with "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," this is probably his best, most sustained, & influential work. A wild, messy, impressionistic account of the 1972 campaign, this is far from objective journalism, but it captures a certain noxious, bloody, bitter political atmosphere that is still with us. What's often forgotten is how insightful and lucid Thompson's writing could be, although readers looking for flashes of druggy madness & alcohol fueled rage won't be disappointed. Featuring illustrations by Ralph Steadman.No One Belongs Here More Than You: Stories by Miranda July
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1-5 of 86 nextlukas, July 1, 2008
So are July's narrators supposed to be like mentally challenged or something? That's really the only explanation for these self-conscious, precious, & vacuous short stories. It seems to be working for her.(1 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)